#MAGFAB: Lupita Nyong’o for The Hollywood Reporter - 19th October 2022
FAB! And the article is HERE!
#RHOA: Kenya Moore Wants NeNe Leakes Back On ‘RHOA’
Despite their rocky relationship, Kenya Moore says she would love to see NeNe Leakes return to The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast!
During BravoCon weekend, the cast of Real Housewives of Atlanta was asked who they would want to return to the show. Kenya, 51, told fans, “So you guys might not like this. Again, I’m gonna be the most honest voice on the stage.” Moore continued, “I’ve not always gotten along with her. I know that people are not in a good place with her, but NeNe.” Everyone was shocked because NeNe and Moore have constantly feuded on the show. During season 12 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Kenya claimed the former Bravo star tried to spit on her. However, Leakes denied the claims but said maybe Kenya deserved to be spit on because of what she says.
After the former Miss USA’s statement at the New York event went viral, NeNe responded. The BET: College Hill star tweeted, “A glorified teacher’s pet.” Then followed up that tweet with, “One thing you can’t do is fool the people.” Fans aren’t sure what the reality star’s cryptic response meant, but they think she might not return to the Bravo franchise. NeNe was a cast member on The Real Housewives of Atlanta since its first season in 2008. However, since she left the network, she has had problems with her former employer. NeNe announced that she would not be returning for season 13 of RHOA after failed contract negotiations.
NeNe sued Andy Cohen and Bravo after claiming she suffered racist remarks from her former white co-star, Kim Zolciak. On Friday, August 19, however, both parties filed for dismissal of the case after agreeing on a settlement. Bravo fans did notice that Marlo Hampton was visibly against the idea of NeNe returning to the show while on the same panel. They did agree with Kenya’s statement and added that Nene is good for ratings.
One fan agreed, “Now I don’t always agree with Kenya but i respect her for this. She knows Nene brought a lot to the show and it needs its OG back!” Another viewer tweeted, “She’s correct. LAWSUITS aside, it’s the dynamic that makes up good tv. we just really need season 5 + sheree cast and we can be confident we’re still able to see the show in its 20th season at the very least.”
#MusicNews: Anderson .Paak And Knxwledge Set To Release New NxWorries Single With H.E.R.
Anderson .Paak and producer Knxwledge have officially reprised their beloved Hip-Hop duo, NxWorries.
Back with their first release in six years, the group is finally dropping their long-awaited record, “Where I Go.” After debuting in 2020 during their set at the Double Happiness Festival, the song is now a collaboration with H.E.R. and has a full visual coming.
Paak, 36, tweeted on Tuesday (Oct. 18), “OCTOBER 19 NEW NXWORRIES WHERE I GO FT @HERMusicx DID YOU MISS US??!?”
The preview from the new music video shows the Oscar-winning singer, 25, and the “Leave The Door Open” artist getting intimate during a series of romantic moments.
On Monday (Oct. 17), Paak, first teased the premiere with a video clip of what appears to be a visual representation of the phrase, “when it rains, it pours” as he stands on an abandoned street, watching a car drive away with a thunderstorm approaching. He’s immediately joined by Knxwledge, 34, who leaves as the torrential rain begins while Paak remains still, shaking his head.
This marks the group’s first release since 2016’s Yes Lawd!.
#HipHopNews: 50 Cent Says Eminem Doesn't Get Enough Credit
While promoting his new WE tv series “Hip Hop Homicides” on “Ebro in the Morning,” the hip-hop mogul reflected on his friend’s legacy and impact on the culture.
“I don’t think they give him the credit that he deserves culturally,” 50 said. “In order for people to embrace something, they have to see where they fit in.”
He went on to celebrate Em’s success as a white rapper in a genre traditionally dominated by Black artists. “He’s still to this day the highest-selling rap artist,” he added. “And maybe N.W.A would be upset with the idea of the white guy coming and selling all of the records, so Jimmy [Iovine]’s a genius for putting him with [Dr.] Dre.”
According to 50, Eminem has pushed the culture forward by remaining true to himself.
“I think part of Eminem’s legacy is the growth of our culture. People wouldn’t buy it if they didn’t see where they fit into it,” he explained. “When he comes and he’s there as a legitimate artist because of his journey. When you look at 8 Mile, you’re seeing a Black story with a white lead. You seeing poverty, you seen him under circumstances. Look at his friends, Proof, D12, everybody’s there and these are real hip-hop guys. This is why he’s a real hip-hop guy.”
50 has often shown his loyalty to the “Rap God,” who signed him to his Shady Records label 20 years ago.
“I have so much value for him, not just in my career, just in my life,” he told Music Choice in 2014. “He’s a guy that’s one of my best friends because I can trust that he’s gonna be honest in his constructive criticism.”
He also touted Em’s skills as an MC. “Hip-hop is Black music, without question. And unfortunately for some people, it’s tough to accept that you got a white artist that does it better than a Black artist,” he added. “You can get whoever you feel like is the best Black artist and stand them face to face in a room with Em and he will eat that shit alive.”
On Monday, Eminem celebrated his 50th birthday with wishes from 50. “Happy birthday to my boy @eminem I love you. I’m wishing you many more God bless,” he captioned a photo of the Detroit rapper. “I’m gonna come see you when I get done touring.”
Kevin Spacey found not liable in sex abuse suit brought by Anthony Rapp
The federal jury in Kevin Spacey's sexual abuse trial found that the Oscar-winning actor is not liable for battery against “Star Trek: Discovery star” Anthony Rapp.
The jury of five men and six women deliberated for just under 90 minutes Thursday afternoon. Rapp appeared stoic as the verdict was read, and his lawyers seemed dejected as they left the courthouse in downtown Manhattan.
Spacey dropped his head after the verdict was announced and then stood up to hug his lawyers.
“I’m very grateful to the jury for seeing through these false allegations,” Spacey's attorney Jennifer Keller said outside the courthouse. Spacey, flanked by bodyguards, did not say anything outside before hopping into a black SUV and driving off.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Rapp said he was "deeply grateful for the opportunity to have my case heard before a jury, and I thank the members of the jury for their service."
"Bringing this lawsuit was always about shining a light, as part of the larger movement to stand up against all forms of sexual violence," Rapp said, vowing to continue to advocate for "a world that is free from sexual violence of any kind."
Richard Steigman, the attorney for Rapp who delivered closing arguments Thursday, said in a statement: "Anthony told his truth in court. While we respect the jury’s verdict, nothing changes that."
In the early days of the #MeToo movement, Rapp was one of the most prominent people to level sexual misconduct allegations against Spacey, derailing his lauded career on screen and stage.
Rapp alleged that Spacey climbed on top of him at a party in New York City in 1986, when Rapp was 14 and Spacey was 26. Rapp, best known for his role in the musical “Rent,” testified that the alleged encounter was “the most traumatic single event” of his life.
Spacey flatly denied Rapp’s allegations, saying under oath that “they are not true.” His lawyers argued that Rapp “created a story” in large part because he was jealous of their client’s success in the entertainment industry.
In closing arguments earlier on Thursday, lawyers for the actors presented dramatically divergent versions of events.
Steigman suggested that Spacey put on a performance for the jury on the witness stand and insisted that, decades later, his client remains traumatized because of the alleged encounter.
Keller dismissed Rapp’s claims as falsehoods and argued that the younger actor was simply jealous of her client’s professional success.
Emotional testimonies
The two men delivered tearful testimonies on the witness stand.
Rapp fought back tears and spoke with a pained expression as he recalled the details of the alleged encounter he described as “incredibly frightening and very alarming.” He testified that he felt inspired to go public with his claims in the fall of 2017.
“I didn’t ask for him to do that,” he told jurors, referring to Spacey’s alleged sexual advance. “I didn’t want him to do that.”
Spacey, for his part, repeatedly broke down crying during his testimony. In a quavering voice, he told jurors about his “humiliating and terrifying” upbringing as the son of a man he described as a “white supremacist and neo-Nazi.”
“I have never talked about these things publicly, ever,” he said.
Rapp filed a lawsuit against Spacey in 2020 based on three claims: assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Judge Lewis A. Kaplan dismissed the assault claim before the trial started, saying it was not covered by the New York’s Child Victims Act of 2019, which temporarily allowed people to make claims that would have normally been blocked by the statute of limitations.
Kaplan tossed out Rapp’s claim of emotional distress on the sixth day of the trial, saying in part that it “repeats and re-alleges” the allegation of battery.
Rapp, who claimed he shared his experience with friends over the years, first publicly detailed his allegations in an article published by BuzzFeed News on Oct. 29, 2017.
Spacey's response to allegations
In a statement on Twitter the next day, Spacey said he did not recall the alleged incident but apologized to Rapp for “what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior.” He then came out, writing in part: “I choose now to live as a gay man.”
In his testimony, Spacey said he regretted that statement, explaining that he now believes he should not have apologized for something he insists he did not do.
“I’ve learned a lesson: Never apologize for something you didn’t do,” Spacey told the jurors. “I regret my entire statement.”
He said his publicity team encouraged him to take the allegations “seriously” because they were concerned about permanent damage to his career and reputation. In turn, he chose to take them “seriously but not factually.”
“I had no belief that this had happened,” Spacey said emphatically.
Spacey also lamented that he used the statement as an opportunity to come out to the general public.
“I would have never done anything to hurt the gay community,” he said, as tears welled up in his eyes. He explained that he was criticized for appearing to conflate his sexual orientation with the allegations: “It was wrong, it was really bad, and I’m deeply sorry.”
Dueling accounts of events
Rapp and Spacey agreed they met each other sometime in April 1986, when they were acting in Broadway shows — Rapp with Ed Harris in “Precious Sons,” Spacey with Jack Lemmon in a production of “Long Day’s Journey into Night.”
The two saw each other again during a casual gathering in Lemmon’s dressing room sometime that May. That night, Spacey took Rapp and Rapp’s friend John Barrowman to a restaurant and a nightclub. Spacey testified that he felt attracted to Barrowman, who was 19 at the time.
“I was captivated by John Barrowman,” Spacey said.
Spacey testified that he invited Rapp and Barrowman back to his apartment in Manhattan’s Upper East Side after the club to introduce them to his dog and show them the views from his place. He said that he and Barrowman had a brief “flirtatious and playful moment” on a bed that was cut short because Rapp was nearby.
Rapp alleged that sometime after that evening, Spacey invited him to a party at his apartment. Rapp testified that he did not recognize anyone at the party, so he went into a bedroom to watch television.
He testified that at some point, an apparently drunken Spacey entered the bedroom, lifted him up, placed him on a bed and rested his full weight on top of him.
Spacey forcefully pushed back on that account of events, saying in his testimony that he never invited Rapp to a party or even spoke to him again after their evening with Barrowman, who is now best known in the United Kingdom for his role on the show “Doctor Who.”
Spacey’s lawyers introduced evidence they said supported their client’s denial, including documents showing that at the time of the alleged incident, he lived in a studio apartment that did not have a bedroom.
Jennifer Keller, one of Spacey’s lawyers, sought to convince the jury that Rapp was bitter not only about Spacey’s success in Hollywood, but also about being the “third wheel” during the evening with Barrowman. Rapp rejected that suggestion.
Rapp, 50, is a series regular on the Paramount+ series “Star Trek: Discovery” and has appeared in films such as “Dazed and Confused” and “A Beautiful Mind.” Spacey, 63, won Oscars for his performances in “The Usual Suspects” and “American Beauty,” and earned a Tony for the play “Lost in Yonkers.”
Spacey played a fictional president on the Netflix drama “House of Cards” before a wave of sexual misconduct allegations in 2017 led to his firing from the show and brought an abrupt halt to his celebrated Hollywood career.
Additional legal issues
Spacey’s legal woes do not end in New York.
In the United Kingdom, he faces charges of sexually assaulting three men a decade or more ago. He pleaded not guilty in July at a hearing at London’s Central Criminal Court. He is expected to go on trial in the U.K. starting June 6, according to The Associated Press.
Kaplan, the judge in Spacey’s civil trial, did not allow Rapp’s lawyers to talk about the U.K. case. However, Rapp’s lawyers got a chance to question Andy Holtzman, a former employee of Manhattan’s Public Theater, who alleges that Spacey assaulted him there in 1981.
Spacey has denied that allegation.
Separately, a Los Angeles judge ruled in August that Spacey and his companies must pay the producers behind “House of Cards” nearly $31 million because of losses incurred after he was fired for alleged sexual harassment of crew members, according to court documents.
DEVELOPING NOW! Liz Truss resigns as Britain’s Prime Minister
Liz Truss will become the shortest-serving prime minister in British history, after announcing her intention to resign just six weeks into a disastrous term that pitched Britain deep into political and economic turmoil.
Truss said Thursday that she would step aside for a new leader to be chosen within the next week, after a growing number of her own Conservative Party’s lawmakers said they could not support her any longer.
“Given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party. I have therefore spoken to His Majesty The King to notify him that I am resigning as Leader of the Conservative Party,” Truss said while standing outside the famous black door of 10 Downing Street, the same spot in which she had promised to put the UK back onto the path to economic growth and stability just six weeks earlier.
The announcement brings to an ignominious end a catastrophic tenure in Downing Street, which appeared doomed ever since the announcement of Truss’s flagship economic agenda sent markets into panic and led to a fall in the value of the pound.
Truss said she would stay in Downing Street until her successor is named.
Graham Brady, who chairs the 1922 Committee which represents rank-and-file Conservative Members of Parliament, said Thursday that the new party leader – and therefore prime minister – should be in place before the end of October.
Speaking outside the House of Commons, Brady said the contest to replace Truss as the party’s leader should be concluded by October 28. Further details of the process would be announced later Thursday, he added.
Truss had tried to save her position by admitting her plan was a mistake and replacing her chancellor and long-time ally Kwasi Kwarteng with Jeremy Hunt, a staunch supporter of Rishi Sunak who was Truss’ biggest rival in the leadership contest over the summer.
In the end, even that was not enough.
On Wednesday, Truss lost another top official when Home Secretary Suella Braverman dramatically quit just a few weeks into the job, using her letter of resignation to launch a blistering attack on the prime minister’s leadership.
“The business of government relies upon people accepting responsibility for their mistakes. Pretending we haven’t made mistakes, carrying on as if everyone can’t see that we have made them, and hoping that things will magically come right is not serious politics,” Braverman wrote in a critique of Truss’s numerous U-turns on taxes and public spending.
Making a bad day even worse, chaotic scenes unfolded in the UK Parliament on Wednesday evening during a vote on whether to ban controversial fracking for shale gas.
Lawmakers reported that aides for Truss had manhandled MPs into the voting lobby to force them to vote against the ban proposed by the opposition Labour Party. Politicians in the lobby tweeted eyewitness accounts alleging that MPs were being physically dragged to vote in the government lobby, amid angry scenes of shouting and altercation.
House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle announced Thursday that he had ordered an investigation into the allegations.
Truss announced her decision to leave on day 45 of her tenure. George Canning previously held the record for the shortest term in Downing Street, having served for 119 days until his death in 1827.
Her decision ensures a fresh power struggle within the ruling Conservative Party, which has hemorrhaged public support for the past year and has now overthrown Boris Johnson and Truss in the space of a few months.
Anti-fossil fuel protesters in London oppose Liz Truss's plans to restart fracking.
What's all the fuss about fracking in the UK?
Earlier this year, Truss’s predecessor Johnson narrowly survived a confidence vote in his leadership. But he resigned weeks later when dozens of ministers and members of the government quit, citing a lack of confidence in his government.
Truss was elected the Conservative Party leader in early September. The September 6 audience during which Queen Elizabeth II officially appointed Truss as the new prime minister, the 15th of her reign, was one of the last roles carried out by the monarch before her death on September 8.
The new prime minister, whoever that may be, will become the first to be appointed by King Charles III.
Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition Labour Party, which is enjoying a huge lead in opinion polls, on Thursday repeated his calls for an early general election.
“Britain can’t afford the Tories’ chaos,” he wrote on Twitter. “My Labour government will provide the stability and leadership needed. For our economy. For growth. For working people. General Election, now.”
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also called for an early vote.
“The interests of the Tory party should concern no-one right now. A General Election is now a democratic imperative,” Sturgeon said on Twitter.
The next general election is due to take place no later than January 2025, but the prospect of Britain seeing its third prime minister since the last poll in 2019 would heap pressure on Truss’ successor to ask the public for a new mandate.
The British pound was trading 0.5% higher against the dollar after Truss announced her resignation, indicating that investors welcomed the decision.
Tyler Perry Fired His Accountants After Finding Out The Irs Owed Him $9 Million In Return
Filmmaker Tyler Perry shared a past experience where he had to face the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), except he revealed to be on the receiving end after an audit revealed the IRS owed him $9 million in return.
The philanthropist shared the information with attendees at the 2022 Earn Your Leisure Conference where he talked about his successful career journey along with some of the challenges and learning experiences he faced along the way.
“Money isn’t something that I had and nobody taught me that taxes had to be paid,” he shared. “I didn’t go to college, but I paid for Harvard many times over in the mistakes that I made.”
Kandi Burruss’ Mother Wants Her Daughter to Level Up With a Man on the ‘Same Financial Scale’
The situation with the ‘Madea’ actor where he was allegedly being audited by someone from the IRS was one of the stories he told to the sold-out audience. The outlet revealed that this particular agent from the IRS was supposedly obsessed with what Perry was doing with his money.
“So this audit went on for three years,” Perry said. “I’m spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in accounting with accountants for the audit and I am getting so mad, and so frustrated.”
“We get to the end of the audit and they, the IRS, owed me $9 million,” he shared.
Perry shared that although his team of accountants were elated about the return, the actor made an executive decision to fire the team responsible for his accounting, wondering how they missed him paying $9 million.
“Everybody gone! I had to stop going to H&R block for my taxes at some point,” he joked with the conference’s audience, according to Finurah.
“I learned in progress and it’s okay,” Perry said.
“Listen to me: In business, it’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to learn. You have to learn, but don’t let it keep happening over and over again. That’s one thing about me. I’ll let you make a million mistakes, but you can’t do the same thing over and over again.”
“That’s how I run my business. Here’s the mistake. Let’s fix it; let’s move forward,” he said.
reportedly, Perry got the agent from the IRS removed from the case and replaced with one of his superiors.
Green Thumb Industries to sell cannabis at Circle K gas stations in first-of-its-kind deal
Circle K convenience stores in Florida in what the Chicago-based company describes as a first for the cannabis industry.
Starting in 2023, Green Thumb Industries GTBIF, +3.59% GTII, +2.21% will open Rise Express stores — strictly for sales of medical marijuana — with side entrances and signage at about ten Circle K gas stations around Florida.
Green Thumb CEO Ben Kovler said the move marks a “huge step forward in making it easier and more efficient” for patients to buy cannabis products “as part of their everyday routine.”
It’s the first time cannabis is being sold at scale outside of stand-alone dispensaries, which are often located in industrial parks or other harder-to-reach destinations, Kovler said.
Circle K, which is a unit of Canadian company Alimentation Couche Tard Inc. ATD, -1.30%, currently operates 600 stores in Florida. Green Thumb has no limit on the number of stores it could potentially open in Florida, Kovler said.
Kovler declined to comment on the pace of any future rollouts of Rise Express stores in Circle K’s in Florida, or on whether the company is considering convenience-store outlets in other states.
Sales of pre-rolled joints, dried flower and edibles at Rise Express stores will be restricted to the 700,000 Floridians who hold medical cards that qualify them to purchase cannabis in the state. Florida is one of 39 states that currently allow sales of cannabis to qualified medical users.
Green Thumb Industries shares rose about 4% on Wednesday but are still down 49.3% in 2022, compared with a 31.7% drop by the Nasdaq COMP, -8.76% and a loss of 59.3% by the AdvisorShares Pure U.S. Cannabis ETF MSOS, +1.75%.
Kerry Washington debuts dramatic haircut at ‘The School for Good and Evil’ premiere
Kerry Washington showed off a bold new bob haircut at Wednesday’s premiere of “The School for Good and Evil,” debuting the ‘do on Instagram beforehand with a “Princess Diaries”-inspired reveal.
“Professor of the Princesses 👸🏾 ✨ Madam Dovey is in the house,” Washington, 45, captioned the hilarious video, referring to her character in the Netflix movie.
On the red carpet, she paired her flapper-inspired hair with a green cropped polo shirt and matching skirt, both by Ralph Lauren.
Friends and fans seemed to approve of the big chop.
“Oh yes !!,” commented Reese Witherspoon, while Ellen Pompeo dubbed it “Fabulous.”
Hayley Kiyoko wrote, “This look is everything! Can’t wait to watch.”
Washington paired her new 'do with a pale green Ralph Lauren look.
Other hilarious comments found on fashion ‘gram @checkthetag included, “Claire, it’s French!” — a reference to a memorable “Fleabag” bob moment.
“This is kinda Dora The Explorer Eleganza Extravaganza,” another said. A third dubbed the actress “Gorgina Washington,” while the look also earned comparisons to Edna Mode from “The Incredibles.”
She blew up two “before” photos of herself, recreating a scene from “The Princess Diaries.”
“The School for Good and Evil,” out now and based on a book of the same name, features Washington as the head of the “good” section of a fantastical school for heroes and villains, with Charlize Theron as her “evil” headmaster counterpart. Patti Lupone, Michelle Yeoh, Cate Blanchett and more also appear in the flick.
Her look sparked approval from Reese Witherspoon, Ellen Pompeo, Hayley Kiyoko and more.
It seems that the “Scandal” star’s hair is ever-changing, as she wears it in a curly blond updo on the movie’s poster.
One thing’s for sure: Washington’s ability to nail any red carpet look is truly magical.
Howard Stern Slams Kanye West and His Defenders: ‘He’s Like Hitler’ and ’F— This Mental Health Self Defense’
Howard Stern lashed out at Kanye West during the Oct. 19 episode of his SiriusXM radio show (via Mediaite). West has courted controversy in recent weeks for making antisemitic statements, most recently in an interview with Chris Cuomo where the rapper cited the “Jewish underground media mafia.” Stern compared West to Hitler and criticized his defenders who cite mental health issues as the source of West’s antisemitic behavior.
“I almost don’t want to give any energy to this Kanye West character,” Stern said. “I don’t know much about Kanye West. I’m not big into the rap scene, but, he is, you know — I’m really tired of people excusing his behavior, by saying, ‘Well, he’s just mentally ill.'”
Stern continued, “Kanye was on the Chris Cuomo show, and good lord, you gotta hear the shit this guy’s into and fuck this mental illness, self defense thing that he’s into, you know, like, ‘Oh yeah, he’s just mentally ill. Don’t worry about it…’ If he’s so mentally ill, why don’t they appoint a conservator over his money like they did with the poor Britney Spears?”
While Stern did not want to give West’s beliefs another platform, he did commend media organizations for calling out the rapper and “exposing him.” He then played a clip of West and Cuomo’s discussion where the rapper cited the “Jewish underground media mafia” as a reason why he’s not referred to as a billionaire or tycoon in the press.
“Guess what, douchebag? When they write about me, they call me the shock jock. You don’t have control over — You are a rapper. That is what you are. That’s how you became famous,” Stern said. “If a newspaper article doesn’t point out the fact that you’re some sort of designer or genius, maybe that’s not because they’re Jewish, but maybe because they just doesn’t put that much thought into who the fuck you are and what your business is.
“This is so depressing. I mean, Kanye used to be fun crazy. Now he’s like Hitler,” Stern concluded.
West also earned scorn from Jon Stewart (via The Daily Beast) on the most recent episode of his podcast. Stewart similarly spoke out against West’s defenders, noting that if the rapper is mentally ill then he’s not sure what medicine could stop him from being antisemitic.
“I don’t know what drug you could get that could make you not believe there’s a cabal of Jews controlling the flow of information from your mouth to the public,” Stewart said.
Pharrell Williams’ BBC ICECREAM To Open Flagship Store In Miami
Pharrell Williams’ Billionaire Boys Club ICECREAM is opening a flagship store in Miami. The luxury streetwear brand, founded by Pharrell and NIGO, will bring its newest shop to the Art District in Wynwood, Miami, with its grand opening on Thursday (Oct. 20).
BBC ICECREAM’s new brick-and-mortar will function as one part market and one part “canvas” for local and global artists, staying true to the neighborhood’s roots as Miami’s cultural and artistic epicenter.
“We wanted to create an immersive space where our community and BBC family could come in and experience our world,” Williams explained to VIBE. “Miami is at the mecca of fashion and culture, and it felt right to have our flagship store there right in the heart of the Art district.”
“We’ve been planning to do this for a while. We had to make sure it was the right time and that we could have the artists and collaborators we love and admire to come and work with us on building out this space, and we’re grateful it’s finally happening.”
The new 5,000-square-foot marketplace designed by Snarkitecture will introduce a hands-on experience through exclusive products and art installations.
Wynwood’s flagship store is built using materials and aesthetics inspired by the Everglades National Park. Its design also employs environmentally conscious components, such as recycled plastics, glass, and wood panels.
BBC ICECREAM’s newest locale is looking to reimagine the traditional retail model as an art gallery to drive social engagement, exploration, and experimentation.
“The goal is to create an experience. We didn’t want a store where you come in, buy clothes and leave,” the Grammy Award-winning artist expressed. “The flagship store serves as a space where art, culture, fashion, and streetwear come together to immerse the public into our world so that when they leave the space, they’ll feel like they experienced something and are better for it.”
The newly erected building will carry “exclusive collaborative clothing” and merchandise curated by Sarah Andelman, including Human Made, Comme des Garçons, Bamford, Krink, Humanrace, and more.
Miami’s BBC ICECREAM location will also carry mainstay brands, including Billionaire Boys Club, ICECREAM, Billionaire Girls Club, Bee Line, Human Made, Adidas, Comme des Garçons PLAY, and more.
The store will open on Thursday (Oct. 20) and is located at 2545 NW 3rd Avenue, operating from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Monday through Thursday, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Friday and Saturday, and 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sundays.
R. Kelly’s Ex-Manager Requests $850,000 In Legal Fees Amid Acquittal
Derrel McDavid, R. Kelly’s former business manager, is seeking $850,000 in legal fees after being acquitted in the heinous singer’s federal trial in Chicago.
McDavid was charged with one count of conspiracy to receive child pornography, two counts of receiving child pornography, and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice. His attorney, Beau Brindley, filed an 18-page motion on Monday (Oct. 17). According to the Chicago Sun-Times, McDavid acquired the substantial amount of legal fees—$600,000 of which is unpaid—causing him to “liquidate real property and other assets in an attempt to pay.”
Brindley wrote, “Mr. McDavid’s life was unalterably changed by the frivolous, vexatious, and bad faith prosecution over which he prevailed. The jury even acquitted Robert Kelly of more than half of the charges levied against him, in large part, based on the lies and falsehoods exposed by Mr. McDavid’s vigorous defense.”
McDavid’s lawyer also detailed how he worked 80 hours per week for his client over the course of two months leading up to the trial, and 100 hours per week during the actual five-week trial. He also mentioned the 500 hours he spent reviewing evidence for McDavid’s defense. All of which cost $696.72 per hour.
Yet, the Associated Press explained that defendants recouping such expenses “are exceedingly rare and do not often succeed.”
During his federal trial, Kelly, 55, was found guilty for six out of 13 counts—three of four counts of production of child pornography and three of five counts of enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity—due to McDavid spending two days on the witness stand helping the disgraced crooner evade more charges.
A sentencing date for Kelly’s Chicago federal trial has yet to be set, but he was sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted on RICO charges in his Brooklyn federal trial.
SAG-AFTRA calls on Congress to pass CROWN Act to stop discrimination
Members of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are urging Congress to pass the CROWN Act.
According to WWD, on Tuesday (Oct. 18), a statement sent to the U.S. Senate from dozens of members of SAG-AFTRA, including Zöe Kravitz, Niecy Nash, Kerry Washington, and Rosario Dawson, called for the law to end hair discrimination in the United States.
In a press release, Fran Drescher, SAG-AFTRA president, said: “The CROWN Act is a huge step in ending discrimination based on hair in public education and work spaces. People should feel free to style their hair how they feel most comfortable without the threat of prejudice and unequal treatment.”
Additionally, Jason George, chair of the SAG-AFTRA Hair and Makeup Equity Work Group, stated: “When you work in an industry where you can be hired — or not hired — largely on how you look, you become acutely aware of how damaging it can be to discriminate against someone based on something as extraneous as how they wear their hair.”
He continued, “Until our nation’s leaders say, in no uncertain terms, that it is not acceptable to discriminate against someone based on their hair, private employers and institutions will continue to skirt the issue with ease.”
In addition to George, other Hair and Makeup Equity Work Group members include Yvette Nicole Brown, Tiffany Yvonne Cox, Michelle Hurd, Ezra Knight, Linda Powell, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
The law, formally titled “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” or CROWN, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives 235 to 189 in March. According to the publication, the bill now sits with the Senate and has been enacted in 19 states, including California, New Mexico, New York, and Massachusetts. The law’s protections would apply to all 50 states if passed by the Senate and President Biden.
Mattel Creations drops Virgil Abloh's "Masters of the Universe" toy set collaboration
The legacy of Virgil Abloh, Off-White’s founder and CEO, will continue to live on in his work before and after his untimely passing. According to Hypebeast, on Wednesday (Oct. 19), Mattel’s collector platform, Mattel Creations, announced its latest collaboration with the late designer, the Masters of the Universe c/o Virgil Abloh™ collection.
The drop features four monochromatic natural-colored figurines in shades of brown, beige, and peanut butter. The publication reports when the designer first started the collaboration, he had access to the entire “Masters of the Universe” world to cultivate the collection’s design. However, following Abloh’s death, the toy set was completed by his creative team at Alaska Alaska, a research-based design and creative agency in London.
Alaska Alaska said in a statement: “Virgil had a deep interest in the ‘Masters of the Universe’ property, in which aspects of his interest were rooted in nostalgia. The selection of characters for this offering we believe to be rooted in their iconography and significance within the franchise.”
The press release continued, “The design direction looked to preserve the existing iconography, using color theory as a point of entry into novelty, and collector’s culture, drawing a parallel between art collectors and comic book collectors.”
Mattel Creation shared a teaser of the collection on its Instagram account on Tuesday (Oct. 18) with the caption, “@masters’ reimagined heroes and villains of Eternia.#MattelCreations.” One fan of Abloh assumed it was part of the collaboration with the late designer, commenting, “Virgil was here ©️.”
The Masters of the Universe c/o Virgil Abloh™ figures will be released online on Friday, Oct. 21.
In other Abloh-related news, a new BBC documentary, Virgil Abloh: How to Be Both — directed by Cassie Quarless and executive produced by Gabriel Jagger, the son of Mick Jagger and Janet Lee — explores how Abloh rattled the fashion industry. According to The Guardian, the film emphasizes how hard it has been for Black people to be taken seriously in the fashion world, let alone conquer it.
Quarless, who has a background in political filmmaking, said: “When [Abloh] went to Louis Vuitton, he exploded, not only in how much we were exposed to him but in helping put young Black creators in positions of power and showing them that anything could be done.”
He added, “He supported people and causes and was explicit that he was doing this for young Black people — so the world could see what they can do.”
Megan Thee Stallion denies being engaged to boyfriend Pardison Fontaine
As Megan Thee Stallion celebrated the second anniversary of her relationship with her boyfriend, Pardison Fontaine, fans assumed that the Houston Hottie got engaged over the special occasion. However, Megan has confirmed that is not the case at all.
On Wednesday (Oct. 19), the 27-year-old artist posted on her Twitter that the ring she was spotted wearing was not an engagement ring. “Lol. As nice as last night was, we are not engaged,” she tweeted.
Fans quickly commented on the hot girl’s tweet, praising the idea that they may still have a chance. One admirer, outrohottie, tweeted: “Glad I still have a chance to be a third, WE MOVE,” while sharing a fan edit video of the rapper. Another Meg fan, queen_stallion1, said: “I was waiting on you to clear that up, Megan.” A third Hottie referred to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, commenting: “The Rock reading this…,” while sharing a meme of Cardi B, a frequent collaborator and friend of the Houston artist.
On Tuesday (Oct. 18), Megan posted several photos of herself and Pardi during their two years together on Twitter. Meg included a candid picture of Fontaine biting her backside playfully and a photo of the couple posing together in bed while the “Body” rapper wears a gray mud mask. She captioned the tweet with a blue heart emoji, “Year [two].” In a second post, she confessed how much she appreciates Pardi’s affection. “My man [is] so obsessed with me…love that for me,” she expressed.
Cardi B Heads To Court To Fight Copyright Infringement Suit Over Her Debut Mixtape
Cardi B looks professional in her matching outfit while arriving at the courthouse on Wednesday afternoon (October 19) in Santa Ana, Calif.
The 30-year-old musician is being sued by a man for copyright-infringement over the tattoo artwork on her debut mixtape cover for a hefty $5 million.
Kevin Michael Brophy is going after Cardi, after an image of his unique tattoo was used for the cover of Cardi‘s mixtape, Gangsta Bitch Music Vol. 1, which was released in 2016.
His lawyer, A. Barry Cappello, said photo-editing software was use to put the back tattoo, which has appeared in tattoo magazines, onto the male model used in the mixtape cover. The image shows a tattooed man from behind with his head between the rapper’s legs. The man’s face cannot be seen.
Cardi is expected to testify during the trial and is fighting the allegations that she had prior knowledge about how the image of his tattoo was found.
Previously, Cardi said that the cover art, which was created by Timm Gooden, was transformative fair use of Kevin‘s likeness.
According to Billboard, Kevin is seeking millions in damages and he claims that Cardi exploited his identity in a “humiliating and provocatively sexual way to launch her career.”
Cardi‘s own team responded to the claims and are saying that Kevin is “trying to cash in the legal equivalent of a lotto ticket.”
Concepts Unveil Reebok Questions Collaboration That Honors 96 Draft Class
Reebok and Concepts, a Boston-based retailer of sneakers and streetwear, have announced its joint Question Mid collection, which pays homage to Allen Iverson’s 1996 draft class, his first signature shoe, and the year Concepts opened its first location. Before its broader release on October 22 via Reebok.com and select stores, the Concepts x Reebok Question Mid ($170, GZ6151) is only available via Concepts on October 21.
The 1996 draft class, led by Iverson, turned out to be one of the best in league history, filled with elite talent, many of whom would go on to become hoop legends in their own right. The worlds of street, skate and fashion would all come together in one special shopping experience when Concepts first opened its doors in the same year.
“Having partnered with Reebok in the past, it’s a full circle moment, but also the biggest to date in our storied history,” commented Concepts founder and CEO Tarek Hassan. “The significance of the Question model goes beyond design. Both Iverson and Reebok took a chance on one another, and Concepts has never taken the easy route.”
The Concepts x Reebok Question Mid honors the distinguished class of ’96 and marks the beginning of culturally significant story arcs for both Concepts and Iverson with strong, multi-color execution.
Key design components of the shoe include an original red toe box, a mixed-materials upper (leather, synthetic, and textile), a custom “Have You Seen Him” sock liner, asymmetrical “9” (left) and “6” (right) graphics on the heel, Concepts x Reebok logo lockup at the Achilles, and an original ice-rubber outsole protecting an interlocking asymmetrical Concepts logo.
“While the design dives deep into Iverson as a rookie and his outstanding draft class, the hidden – or not so hidden – meaning is that it’s unapologetically loud, a nod to AI’s style,” continued Hassan. “We couldn’t collaborate on Question without inserting some aspect of how impactful he was off the court. We favored the risk taker, so it’s not for the faint of heart.”
Before its wider global release on October 22 via Reebok.com and select fashion stores, the CONCEPTS x Reebok Question Mid ($170, GZ6151) is available in unisex sizing starting October 21 exclusively from CONCEPTS.
LL Cool J Unpacked His Past Addictions with Sex and Drugs in 1997 Memoir
*In his 1997 biography “I Make My Own Rules,” LL Cool J recounts his wild years coming up in the music industry, which included drug addiction and a “low point” in his sex life.
“I smoked angel dust. I smoked coke, he writes in the book, as reported by I Love Old School Music (via MTV).
“I did a lot of things … and the only reason that I’m able to stand here right now is because I stopped doing it,” LL continued. “I’m feeling great about that. That makes me feel good. I’m rejoicing over this. I’m rejoicing being able to share the world and tell the world I did drugs, I carried guns. I did a lot of bad things.”
The hip-hop star added, “If I didn’t tell the truth about my sex life or tell the truth about drugs, tell all that negative stuff, nobody would even be interested in this book… because it would be fluff to them.”
Elsewhere in the book, LL said a low point in his sex life came when he had an intimate encounter with a pregnant woman.
“At some point, you just have to be respectful. I mean, when you think back on it…it’s a little aggressive. Lots of testosterone in that 20-year-old body,” he wrote, according to the ILOSM report.
“I had a Rockstar’s life early on, for many years. We all have to mature. At some point, you gotta…kinda get your mind right. We all foolish in some ways, forever. I did some things that were naughty,” he continued.
We reported previously that in the memoir, LL also unpacks the time his father shot his mother and grandfather because he was bitter about getting a divorce.
LL was a young boy growing up in New York when his parents separated in 1972. His father, James Nunya, was so incensed over the divorce in that he shot his father-in-law in the stomach and estranged wife Ondrea in the back, I Love Old School Music reports. The rapper was age 4 at the time, and both relatives survived their injuries.
According to Hollywood.com, it would be years before LL was able to forgive his father. After his mother moved on, she married an abusive man and drug addict named Roscoe Granger. In his book, LL details (via The Daily Press) how Roscoe constantly beat his mother.
“Roscoe beat me for just about anything. He would beat me for watching television, for lookin’ at him funny, for looking out the window watching other kids play. He didn’t need a good reason. It was just a power trip…” he wrote.
Spirit Airlines Shareholders Finally Approve JetBlue Airways Takeover
Spirit may have a different name soon as the airline company finally approves JetBlue Airways‘ takeover.
After receiving a $3.8 billion all-cash offer for Spirit, it looks like the airlines are moving in the right direction. On Wednesday, Spirit announced the news in a press release.
Spirit CEO said, “This is an important step forward on our path to closing a combination that will create the most compelling national low-fare challenger to the dominant U.S. carriers.”
The entire transition is expected to finish no later than the first half of 2024, and a full brand transition is expected. The airline is known for its ultra-low airfare, but with obnoxious fees on carry-on bags and add-ons, bags will no longer exist, so book your travel now if you fly the airline.
Now that the idea has been approved, Spirit must prove to federal regulators that the deal will not harm competition and drive up consumer prices, primarily since Spirit is known to be the most affordable airline and the fifth-largest carrier.
“We look forward to continuing our ongoing discussions with regulators as we work toward completing the transaction and delivering value to Team Members, Guests, and stockholders,” Spirit Airlines CEO adds.
Jeni’s Teams Up With Black-Owned Whiskey Brand Uncle Nearest For Boozy Eggnog Ice Cream
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream is the only company that can successfully combine whiskey and ice cream, and this innovative collaboration does not disappoint.
Perfect for the holidays, Jeni’s has teamed up with Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey to offer potluckers and family gatherers everywhere the all-new festive Jeni’s Boozy Eggnog ice cream. While Jeni’s is no stranger to partnering with other movers and shakers, this deal with Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is especially significant because it celebrates the life and legacy of the first known African American master distiller, Nearest Green.
The ice cream is created using 1884 Small Batch Whiskey, grass-grazed milk, and nutmeg. Boozy Eggnog also features hints of vanilla and caramel, eliminating any whiskey taste from the dairy dessert. Besides, with less than 0.5 percent alcohol in each pint, it’s not likely you’ll detect anything other than creamy goodness and the “boozy warmth of the whiskey.”
You can get your hands on Jeni’s Boozy Eggnog ice cream beginning on October 27th. Only Jeni’s creameries nationwide will carry the delicacy both online and in-store. Priced at $12, you may want to grab a pint today, as there is no telling when this unique flavor will return once the holiday season is over.
Make sure you grab a bottle of Uncle Nearest Whiskey to enjoy with your new favorite midnight snack.
Lisa Rinna reveals she threw Garcelle’s book in trash — not Erika Jayne
Lisa Rinna revealed during the second part of the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” Season 12 reunion that she — not Erika Jayne — tossed co-star Garcelle Beauvais’ memoir in the garbage back in April.
The topic came up Wednesday night when Andy Cohen asked Jayne if she at least “skimmed for mentions” of herself in “Love Me As I Am” before throwing it out and posting a video of the scene to her Instagram Story.
Silently, the “Pretty Mess” singer pursed her lips and looked over at her bestie, Rinna, who was seated to her right.
“Well,” Rinna chimed in, “I have to be honest: I’m the one that tossed Garcelle’s book in the trash.”
“Oh, really?!” a shocked Cohen let out, prompting the former soap opera star to double down, “I did.”Rinna, 59, explained that the first edition of Beauvais’ tell-all contained commentary about the former’s daughter Amelia Hamlin’s eating disorder, which is why she got rid of it.
The former model then took a video of the memoir sitting atop a pile of garbage that included a Starbucks cup, an old house phone and a plastic water bottle. She subsequently sent the video to a group chat that included Jayne.
Jayne said she then shared the video on her social media after Beauvais made a dig at her.
The “Days of Our Lives” alum noted that she called Beauvais, 55, who agreed to remove the excerpt about her child from the book’s second edition as well as from the audio versions.
Jayne explained that she decided to share Rinna’s video from her own account after Beauvais posted a clip of a shady comment she had made toward the performer during filming to promote “Love Me As I Am.”
In the trailer for the then-upcoming season, Jayne was seen asking Beauvais, “Is that to make Erika look bad, or is that out of genuine concern?” to which the actress replied, “Erika, I don’t have to make you look bad; you can do that on your own.”
The “Coming to America” star captioned the above moment, “You know how else you can look bad all on your own? By not pre-ordering your copy of #LoveMeAsIAm before it comes out on Tuesday 😂.”
As for why Jayne did not come clean about who took the video, she told Cohen she’s “f–king down” for her controversial pal.
“She got so much s–t about [not] recycling,” Rinna jokingly interjected. “That’s when I really felt bad.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
SON GOKU
Looking for Magic Beans at Walmart
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
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